CBJ sign Dmitri Voronkov to a two-year entry level contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Dmitri Voronkov to a two-year, entry level contract, club General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. The center/wing was selected by the Blue Jackets in the fourth round, 114th overall, at the 2019 NHL Draft.

Voronkov, 22, has registered 37 goals and 37 assists for 74 points with 157 penalty minutes, 12 power play goals, nine game-winning goals, 363 shots on goal and a cumulative +29 plus/minus rating in 182 career games with Ak Bars Kazan since making his debut in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League in 2018-19. He has added 15-10-25 with 30 penalty minutes and a +8 plus/minus rating in 50 career KHL postseason appearances.

"Dmitri is a big, strong forward who can play at center ice or on the wing and is coming off an outstanding season in the KHL," said Kekalainen. "He is a skilled player that has shown an ability to score goals while playing a physical two-way game. We believe he has tremendous upside and are looking forward to his joining our group and continuing his development as a Blue Jacket."

A native of Angarsk, Russia, he posted 18-13-31 with 51 penalty minutes, seven power play goals, five game-winning goals, 109 shots on goal and was +13, while averaging 14:52 of ice time in 54 appearances with Ak Bars in 2022-23. He led the club in game-winning goals and ranked third in goals, power play goals and plus/minus rating and fourth in points and penalty minutes. Voronkov ranked fifth-T in the KHL in goals in the 2023 postseason with 8-4-12, 16 penalty minutes and a +6 plus/minus rating in 24 appearances to help the team reach the league final.

The 6-4, 192-pound forward has represented Russia at several international tournaments. He won a silver medal with the Russian Olympic Committee team at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. At the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships, he led Russia to a silver medal and was named a Top Three Player on his team as he collected 3-4-7 in seven games. He also skated at the 2021 IIHF World Championships, tallying 2-4-6 in eight outings.